Professional Land Surveyor

CHAPTER - 1 - CLASSES OF APPLICANTS

Class 1 shall include all applicants applying for registration as a land surveyor under Section 81-8,117, R.R.S., who may be eligible for examination on the basis of registration as a surveyor-in-training in Nebraska or another state which maintains standards equal to or greater than those of Nebraska, 6 years of practice, satisfactory to the Board, and proof of educational and professional qualifications, 5 of such 6 years must be in land surveying as defined in Section 81-8,109, R.R.S. and 3 of such 5 years must be in a responsible position as a subordinate to a licensed land surveyor. Responsible position shall mean a position that requires initiative skill and independent judgment; this term excludes chainman, rodman, instrument person, ordinary drafter and others doing routine work. Class 1 shall also include applicants who may be eligible for examination on the basis of graduation, after a course of not less than four years in surveying, engineering or other approved curriculum, with proportionate credit for lesser time, from a school or college approved by the Board as of satisfactory standing, an additional two years of practice in a responsible position and registration as a surveyor-in-training in Nebraska or another state which maintains standards equal to or greater than those of Nebraska. SEC. 81-8,117

Class 2 shall include all applicants, who are nonresidents of the State of Nebraska applying for registration as a land surveyor under Section 81-8,120, R.R.S., who may be registered in another state, which maintains standards equal to or greater than those required by the State of Nebraska. SEC. 81-8,120

Class 3 shall include all applicants applying for registration as a surveyor-in-training under Section 81-8,109, (3), R.R.S., who may be eligible for examination on the basis of four years practice or training, satisfactory to the Board, and proof of educational and professional qualifications. Class 3 shall also include applicants who may be eligible for examination on the basis of graduation, after a course of not less than four years in surveying, engineering or other approved curriculum, with proportionate credit for lesser time, from a school or college approved by the Board as of satisfactory standing. SEC. 81-8,109

Class 4 shall include all applicants applying for inactive registration under Section 81-8,119.01, R.R.S., 1943, who may be eligible based upon holding an active registration to practice land surveying in the State of Nebraska. SEC. 81-8,119.01

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CHAPTER - 2 - APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION:

Application forms for registration as a land surveyor and surveyor-in-training may be obtained from the office of the Secretary of the Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors. SEC. 818,114

Applications must be received by the Secretary ninety days in advance of the examination date. Applications must be typed or neatly lettered in ink on forms prescribed and furnished by the Board. To be acceptable they must be filled out completely and in the detail required. SEC. 818,114

Prior to January, 2001 no application for registration as a land surveyor will be accepted unless it is accompanied by a check, draft or money order in the amount of $100.00 made payable to the Secretary of the Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors. Effective January 20, 2001 no application for registration as a land surveyor will be accepted unless it is accompanied by a check, draft or money order in the amount of $140.00 made payable to the Secretary of the Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors. The fee shall be considered an application fee and shall not be returned to applicants who are unsuccessful for any reason. SEC. 81-8,118

Prior to January, 2001 no application for registration as a surveyor-in-training will be accepted unless it is accompanied by a check, draft or money order in the amount of $75.00 made payable to the Secretary of the Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors. Effective January 20, 2001 no application for registration as a surveyor-in-training will be accepted unless it is accompanied by a check, draft or money order in the amount of $100.00 made payable to the Secretary of the Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors. The fee shall be considered an application fee and shall not be returned to applicants who are unsuccessful for any reason. SEC. 818,109

All information received from references named by the applicant shall be held in confidence by the Board. No member of the Board shall be named as a reference. SEC. 81-8,109 AND 81-8,118

An applicant shall not be admitted to the examination until satisfactory replies have been received from a minimum of 3 of his or her references. It is suggested that each applicant contact his or her references to avoid delay. SEC. 81-8,110.08

Application for inactive classification may be made by submitting a request in writing to the Secretary of the Board. SEC. 81-8,119.01

No application for inactive classification will be accepted unless it is accompanied by his or her personal seal or a sworn statement certifying its loss or destruction and a check, draft or money order in the amount of $50.00 made payable to the Secretary of the Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors. The fee shall be considered an application fee and shall not be returned to applicants for any reason. SEC. 81-8,119.01

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CHAPTER - 3 - EXAMINATIONS:

Examinations shall be conducted as prescribed in Sections 81-8,108 to 81-8,127, R.R.S., 1943, as amended, at such times and places as the Board may designate. The Board on its own motion and/or the Secretary may conduct the examination in a manner which provides security, harmony, reduces the risk of plagiarism and is not in conflict with these rules. SEC. 81-8,110.08

The application for registration is a part of the examination. Each applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she meets at least the minimum requirements set forth is Sections 81-8,109 to 81-8,127, R.R.S., 1943, as amended, before he or she will be admitted to any examination. Failure to meet the minimum requirements of these sections of the act shall be interpreted as if it were a failure in the examination with retention of the application fee. However, the Board may continue consideration of an application for one year wherein the applicant has an experience deficiency of less than one year, or other valid reason, and without causing forfeiture of the application fee. Any applicant which has been denied registration as a land surveyor or surveyor-in-training in Nebraska due to failure of the written examination must show proof of completion of fifteen (15) hours of professional development as defined in Rule 10, paragraph 002, subparagraphs 002.06 and 002.08 before any new application shall be approved. SEC. 81-8,109 THROUGH 81-8,123

Upon receipt of an application and the application fee, the Secretary shall acknowledge the application and advise the applicant that the routine of making the necessary investigations will be followed and that he or she will be notified no later than twenty (20) days before the written examination whether he or she will be admitted to it. SEC. 81-8,110.08

A postponement of an examination or reexamination may be granted to any applicant once for each application. Any individual who has received a postponement for either an examination or reexamination shall not be eligible for postponement again until he or she has filed and the Board has approved a new application. If an applicant wishes to postpone an examination he or she shall notify the Secretary of the Board to that effect at least five (5) days prior to the date of said examination. Failure to notify the Secretary as prescribed will be counted as an appearance at and a failure of the examination. The Board may waive the notification requirement only where an emergency concerning weather, illness of the applicant or their immediate family or a death in the immediate family exists. SEC. 81-8,110.08

The written examination for registration as a land surveyor shall be on the professional practice of land surveying. The examination shall be of eight hours duration. SEC. 81-8,115

The written examination for surveyor-in-training shall be on the fundamentals of land surveying. The examination shall be eight hours duration. SEC. 81-8,110.08

Each applicant shall submit with his or her application a digest of his or her training and experience. No one shall be eligible for examination until he or she has had the minimum experience required in Sections 81-8,108 to 81-8,127, R.R.S., 1943 as amended. SEC. 81-8,109; 81-8,114 AND 81-8,117

Each applicant may be called before the Board for a personal interview. SEC. 81-8,110.08

The applicant must pass the written examination to qualify for registration. The examination grade must be certified by the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES) and/or the Secretary of the Board. The Secretary of the Board will report to the Board the results of the examination.. Upon receipt of the Secretary of the Board's report the Board will determine which applicants have passed the examination. The applicant, the Secretary or any Member of the Board may request that the grade on an examination be reviewed by the Board at a regular meeting. Such request must be delivered in writing to the Secretary of the Board within 90 days of notification of the grades. The Board may on its own motion require a re-grading of any examination question by the NCEES. If such re-grading has been requested by the applicant then he or she shall reimburse the Board for all costs of re-grading. This cost shall be 150% of the amount charged by NCEES. The decision of the Board in such reviews will be final. SEC. 81-8,110.08

If an applicant fails to qualify for registration due to failure of the examination he or she may be re-examined once at the discretion of the Board without submitting a new application. Fees shall be the same as a new applicant of the same class. SEC. 81-8,118

The Secretary shall submit to all applicants for registration by reciprocity a questionnaire relative to surveying laws in Nebraska and the Secretary shall interview and examine all applicants for registration by reciprocity. The interview and examination must be completed within two years after notification by the Board. SEC. 81-8,120

Applicants for inactive registration as prescribed in Chapter 1, paragraph 004. of these rules shall not be required to take an examination. SEC. 81-8,119.01

Holders of an inactive registration applying for active registration shall be required to successfully complete the same written examination as a surveyor-in-training applying for registration as a land surveyor. Provided, the board shall waive the written portion of the examination if the applicant elects to demonstrate proficiency by providing proof of professional development. Proof of professional development shall mean completing professional development hours as defined in Chapter 10 of these rules. The applicant shall be required to complete forty-five (45) PDHs. All PDHs required must be obtained during the time the applicant's registration has been inactive. The PDHs required shall be reported on the form provided by the Board and the applicant shall provide supporting documentation. Any professional development hours, which are used to apply for active registration, shall be used for that purpose exclusively and shall not count in any other requirements in these rules. SEC.818,119.0

Professional Engineers

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2.1 Certification / Licensure by Examination

2.1.1. Acquiring an engineering license is a two-step process. The initial step is obtaining an Engineer Intern certification. The second step requires qualified work experience and passing of the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination in a specific engineering discipline. Licensure also requires passing of an examination on Nebraska law, rules and regulations governing the practice of engineering.

2.2 Required Documents

2.2.1. Applications

2.2.1.1.Each applicant shall obtain an application form and submit the requested information and fee. The applicant shall provide the board with an official transcript of his or her college record showing the degree(s) awarded. This transcript shall be forwarded directly to the board by the school(s) the applicant attended.

2.2.1.2. Those applicants needing to take examinations must adhere to the filing dates established by the Board.

2.2.1.3. Withholding information or providing statements that are untrue or misrepresent the facts may be cause for denial of an application or revocation of license.

2.2.1.4. It is the responsibility of the applicant to supply correct addresses of all references and to be sure that the references are supplied as requested. If a reference fails to respond, this could delay the processing of an application until a reply is obtained or another reference is given.

2.2.1.5. In relating experience, the applicant must account for all employment or work experience for the period of time that has elapsed since the beginning of the employment record. If not employed or employed in other kinds of work this should be indicated in the experience record.

2.2.2. References

2.2.2.1. References are those individuals who have personal knowledge of an applicant and who are able to issue judgments concerning an applicant's experience, ability, character, or reputation.

2.2.2.2. For licensure as a professional engineer, an applicant must submit five references, three of whom shall be professional engineers having personal knowledge of the applicant's engineering experience. In addition, for each employment period, persons familiar with the applicant's experience for that period are to be identified.

2.2.2.3. For certification as an engineer intern, five character references must be given.

2.2.2.4. Professional engineer references shall not be relatives or current board members.

2.3 Education; Degrees from Non – U.S. Institutions of Higher Education:

2.3.1. All foreign language documentation submitted with the completed application must be accompanied by certified translations. The translation report should be sent directly to the board for review.

2.3.2. Those applicants who, for political or other valid reasons, are unable to obtain their college transcript shall be required to complete a supplementary application form as approved by the NCEES or other source designated by the Board.

2.3.3. NCEES recommendations on foreign engineering curricula shall generally serve as a Board guide for evaluation.

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2.4. Experience; Licensure as a Professional Engineer

2.4.1. A candidate shall have Engineer Intern status and not less than four years of subsequent work experience acceptable to the board.

2.4.2. The applicant's work experience may start immediately following graduation from a professional program or enrollment as an Engineer Intern, whichever is later.

2.4.3. Work experience gained as a part of the curriculum and shown on the transcript, Co-op Experience, will be credited toward the requirement for licensure based on the time actually worked, but not to exceed 6 months.

2.4.4. Successful completion of graduate study leading to the Masters degree in engineering which has followed a baccalaureate degree in engineering may be used for credit for one year's experience. If the Ph.D. in engineering is completed under the same conditions, two year's total experience may be credited. The two year's credit includes the one year for the Masters degree. If the Ph.D. is obtained without the Masters degree, the credit for experience will be two years.

2.4.5. The Board will consider engineering experience performed outside the United States when it is deemed that such experience is gained under a licensed professional engineer from a NCEES jurisdiction, or it is determined upon reasonable investigation, by an engineer board member, of materials provided by, and at the expense of, the applicant that such experience was performed under circumstances comparable to the standards for engineering in the United States.

2.4.6. Experience must be progressive on engineering projects to indicate that it is of increasing quality and requiring greater responsibility.

2.4.7. Only work of an engineering nature which follows graduation from a professional program is creditable.

2.4.8. Experience must not be obtained in violation of the E&A Act.

2.4.9. Experience gained in the armed services, to be creditable, must be of a character equivalent to that which would have been gained in the civilian sector doing similar work. Normally, it would be expected that the applicant while in the armed services served in an engineering or engineering-related group.

2.4.10. Experience should be gained under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer or if not, an explanation should be made showing why the experience should be considered acceptable.

2.4.11. For sales experience to be creditable, it must be demonstrated that engineering principles were required and used in gaining the experience.

2.4.12. Teaching experience to be creditable must be at an advanced level in a college or university offering an engineering curriculum of four years or more that is approved by the Board.

2.4.13. Experience gained in engineering research and design projects by members of an engineering faculty where the curriculum is approved by the board is creditable.

2.4.14. Experience may not be anticipated. The experience must have been received at the time of the application.

2.4.15. Experience as a contractor in the execution of design by a professional engineer or in employment considered as that of supervising construction of such work may not be considered as creditable experience.

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2.5 Examinations

2.5.1. Certification as an Engineer Intern; The Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE)

2.5.1.1. This examination covers material which is fundamental in an approved engineering curriculum.

2.5.1.2. The FE examination is required of all applicants unless it has been passed in another jurisdiction.

2.5.1.3. The FE examination must be passed before an applicant can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PPE) examination.

2.5.1.4. An examinee will be required to take the FE exam in his or her educational discipline when offered; all other disciplines will take the general engineering section. An examinee will be permitted to sit for the PPE exam in a discipline different from that of his or her FE examination on the basis of experience.

2.5.1.5. All notification of the results of examinations will be "Pass" or "Fail."

2.5.1.6. The last examination not passed is available to the examinee for inspection. Any examination passed is not available for inspection. The examinee will be asked to sign an agreement to abide by certain rules while reviewing the exam.

2.5.2. Licensure as a Professional Engineer; The Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination (PPE)

2.5.2.1 The PPE examinations are designed to determine the applicant?s ability to use his or her engineering ability in planning, designing, and directing work usually included as a part of the work of engineers working in the discipline of engineering selected by the applicant.

2.5.2.2. The PPE examinations are given in disciplines offered by NCEES. An examinee will be permitted to sit for the PPE exam in a discipline different from that of his or her FE examination on the basis of experience. The Board reserves the right to not examine in certain disciplines offered by NCEES or to examine in specialized branches of engineering not offered by NCEES.

2.5.2.3. The Board will accept the examination result as determined by NCEES and will report the result to the applicant. All notification of the results of examinations will be "Pass" or "Fail."

2.5.2.4. An applicant must have passed the Examination in accordance with the NCEES pass/fail standards current at the time the applicant took the examination.

2.5.2.5. The last examination not passed is available to the examinee for inspection. Any examination passed is not available for inspection. The examinee will be asked to sign an agreement to abide by certain rules while reviewing the exam.

2.5.3. Rescoring of an exam.

2.5.3.1. The Board receives a written request from the examinee on each contested problem.

2.5.3.1.1. The request includes a detailed rationale on why the examinee thinks the problem was not graded properly.

2.5.3.1.2. The request includes payment of required fees to the NCEES.

2.5.3.2. An Engineering Board Member reviews the rationale, the problem, and the solution and decides whether the problem should be submitted for rescoring.

2.5.3.3. The examinee is notified if:

2.5.3.3.1. The Board does not submit the problem for rescoring; the check to NCEES is returned, or

2.5.3.3.2. The rationale, the examinee's problem solution and the check are submitted to the NCEES for rescoring.

2.5.3.4. As long as an item is in dispute, the examinee may not retake the examination.

2.5.4. Licensure as a Structural Engineer; The Structural II Examination

2.5.4.1. Professional Engineers who have passed the Structural I Exam may sit for the Structural II Examination. Having passed both exams, they shall be designated a Licensed Structural Engineer and may use the designation S.E. (Structural Engineer) with their name. Those who became licensed as Civil Engineers, having answered at least six structural questions from the Civil exam, prior to March 20, 1992 shall be considered eligible for the Structural II examination.

2.5.5. Examination on the Nebraska E&A Act and Practice Ethics.

2.5.5.1. This exam must be passed before an engineer can be licensed to practice in Nebraska. The purpose of the examination is to ensure that applicants are familiar with the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act and the ethics of practicing engineering. This is an open book examination administered by the Board.

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2.6 Certificates

2.6.1 Certification as an Engineer Intern

2.6.1.1. Upon successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination and transcript proof of graduation from an accredited engineering program, an Engineer Intern (EI) Certificate will be issued to the candidate. It is the responsibility of the candidate to assure delivery of the transcript directly from the institution conferring the degree.

2.6.2. Licensure as a Professional Engineer

2.6.2.1. Certificates of Licensure issued to Professional Engineers will be in-scribed with the discipline in which the individual is licensed to practice. Those licensed in multiple disciplines will be issued certificates in each; engineers seeking reciprocity will submit a separate application for each discipline.

2.6.3. Temporary Permit.

2.6.3.1. The application form will contain the following information: Licensee?s name, requested duration of permit, State of current licensure, license number, engineering discipline, and project name.

2.6.3.2. Verification of good standing must be provided by the State of current licensure, including the discipline of examination. Should the State not license by discipline, verification of discipline may be provided by NCEES record or by a notarized affidavit of a professional engineer.

2.6.3.3. The permit will consist of labels containing the pertinent information which may be applied to documents or may be copied onto clear media for application to sealed transparencies.

2.6.3.4. The holder of a temporary permit shall use his or her seal from the State of verified licensure when sealing documents pertaining to the Nebraska project and shall accompany the seal with an information label issued by the Board.

Charles Nelson
Executive Director
P.O. Box 94751
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
402-471-2021 & 2407

http://www.sso.state.ne.us/bels/rulereg.htm

http://www.nol.org/home/NBOP/rules/ruleregch2.html#2.1

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